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Pantries 101

A stand-alone pantry is an ideal storage solution for non-perishable foods like canned soup, cereal, spices and kitchen basics such as flour and sugar. With a pantry in your kitchen, the ingredients you use to prepare wholesome meals are always within easy reach. You'll spend less time searching through crowded cupboards, and it might even save you some money. That’s because a pantry affords space to buy some items in bulk, which are usually cheaper. The extra cupboard space it creates also allows more room for plates, dishes and other items. If your kitchen is small, consider putting a pantry elsewhere like the dining room, basement or laundry room.

Pantry Organizing Tips:

• Create food “zones” for foods you eat at different meals and times of day • Keep frequently used items at eye level for easy access • Use transparent food-safe containers, so food stays fresher and you can check quantities at a glance • Hang a space-saving spice rack on the door • Move items that are close to expiry near the front to use them up • Store canned foods in a space-efficient can storage unit • Place heavier items closer to the floor to prevent injury • Bulk items like bags of rice and flour are best stored in larger, more open storage spaces

Pantry Essentials

When you're making a last-minute dinner or you're hit by a late-night craving, a well-stocked kitchen pantry can save you a trip to the grocery store. Here are some kitchen basics that are perfect for every pantry:

Pantry Features

Shape & Size +

Kitchen pantries come in all shapes and sizes, from a few open shelves to free-standing corner units with drawers and doors. It’s important to choose a pantry that suits your space. A waist-high model provides a combination of modest storage and extra kitchen work surface, while a large pantry can almost double your storage space. A taller, armoire-shaped pantry is easy to transport if you move frequently and still offers plenty of storage. If your pantry's dimensions are wrong for your kitchen, consider moving it elsewhere, such as the basement or laundry room.

Storage Types +

Open shelving works great for stacking cans and boxes, and you can see what you’ve got at a glance. Drawers and doors allow you to conceal items from children, or hide items that would make your open shelves look messy. Other useful organizers include wine racks, hanging spice racks and slats for baking trays. If you have a lot of canned food and snacks, some models allow you to install more shelves and storage compartments to keep everything neat and tidy.

Door Style +

Pantry doors contribute to the style of your pantry (and your kitchen) and keep clutter out of sight. A simple cupboard-style door will help the pantry blend into the rest of your kitchen. A French-style two-door pantry creates an airy feel and can offer more space for hanging racks. If you already have an open-concept pantry without any doors, a hanging curtain will conceal clutter.

Hardware +

While matching hardware to your pre-existing cupboards and drawers isn’t necessary, it can add a nice finishing touch to your kitchen. Popular styles include metal handles and polished wooden or ceramic knobs. If you’re buying a new pantry or new doors, you can also choose built-in handles. Since you’ll be using your pantry often, the hardware should be easy to clean and grasp. If you have small children around the house, you might want to add locks to the lower doors for safety.

Shelving +

Shelves are an important part of a pantry. Buying a pantry with pre-installed fixed shelves is one way to ensure that your shelves can bear heavy bulk items like flour or rice. Adjustable or removable shelves could be less sturdy, but you'll have more options for organizing your space. Try to clean the shelves of your pantry every once in a while to prevent damage to the top material. Shelf paper can help prolong the life and look of your shelves

Colour +

The colour of your pantry contributes to the overall look of your kitchen. Unless you want to make the pantry a standout feature of the room, it’s generally a good idea to match the colour to either your cupboards or major appliances. If you want to create a design focal point, pick an accent colour based on a major accessory in the room.

Material +

Your pantry should be made of materials that are durable, attractive and cost effective. Solid wood is stylish and provides a safe, sturdy environment for your dry foods. Particle board or composite materials are usually more affordable, but are more susceptible to chipping or warping over time.

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Pantry Maintenance Tips:

• Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning and maintenance • Wipe up spills to protect shelves, and sweep up crumbs to keep pests away • Use shelf paper to better protect shelves and the bottoms of drawers • Store items that make a mess in trays or baskets for easy clean up • Check hardware regularly and tighten, repair or replace as necessary

This article is intended as general information. Always be sure to read and follow the label(s)/instruction(s) that accompany your product(s). Walmart will not be responsible for any injury or damage caused by this activity.